. >>> new today, leaders from both sides agreeing the best option is to avoid the fiscal cliff. they can't agree on which path to take to get there. >>> i don't think republicans or americans want to raise any taxes just to continue this spending in washington. they want a more efficient and more accountable. what we are saying is we need to do what ronald reagan did with tip o'neill, show the leadership to get in the room. same as bill clinton did with newt gingrich. get in the room and make the changes that are needed. >> the president wants to solve the problem. it's what he said in the campaign. it's what he's saying now. we cannot lurch from one crisis to the other. think of all the times tea party republicans and speaker boehner threatened to shut down the government over the debt ceiling. listen, if we are going to have this certainty for businesses to invest and know new jobs are being created we have to get this behind us. >> joining me now, dana millbank and kristina. it's great to have you both here. bob corker said the idea of raising taxes on the top 2% has merit. t